Drought conditions that have plagued New Jersey for months should continue to improve this week with up to a half-inch of rain on Monday and 2 to 3 more inches rain between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The weaker of the two low-pressure systems will make its way through New Jersey in roughly a three to five hour span Monday morning and afternoon, the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussion.
Rain totals are expected to range from a quarter to a half-inch in northern New Jersey to lesser amounts in South Jersey.
Forecasters say the Cape May area could see as little as a trace amount to a tenth-inch, though most of South Jersey is likely to receive a tenth to a quarter inch of badly needed rain.
As of the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor last week, roughly the northern half of the state was experiencing “severe” drought conditions with worse, “extreme” drought conditions in the southern half.
Parts of New Jersey could receive up to a half-inch of rain on Monday in the first of two storms this week.National Weather Service
Highs will mainly range from the upper 40s to low 50s on Monday before a cloudy evening and overnight with temps only falling into the upper 30s and low 40s, forecasters say.
Tuesday will cloudy but dry for a majority of the day with mild temps climbing into the 50s.
Rain pushes in at night and continues through most of the day on Wednesday before coming to a quick end at night.
AccuWeather.com says localized flooding and a risk of downpours are possible during the morning and evening commutes Wednesday.
The private weather forecasting company is calling for 1 to 2 inches of rain for all of New Jersey except for areas immediately along the Jersey Shore, where they say 2 to 3 inches will fall between Tuesday night and Wednesday. Gusty winds are also expected, according to AccuWeather.
It’ll be a warm, breezy day on Wednesday with highs in the low 60s. Temperatures plunge overnight into Thursday — dropping into the upper 20s and low 30s.
Thursday and Friday are shaping up to be dry, sunny and chilly with highs in the 30s.
Current weather radar
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
